Published: Aug 17, 2015, 10:12 AM (IST)
Edited: Aug 17, 2015, 10:12 AM (IST)
Ricky Ponting talks about his majestic knock of 156 against England in the The Ashes 2005. It was the third Ashes Test of the summer and the series was leveled 1-1 after a thrilling draw at Edgbaston. The Australians could not believe losing the game by a margin of just 2 runs. England though were buoyed and would have felt that they got out of jail. Here talking to the Lord’s Cricket Ground, Ponting himself relieves what he reckons as one of his bests Test tons in England. The ton came in the fourth innings when Australia had about four sessions to bat to secure a draw. Ponting scored a brilliant 156 but was dismissed very late in the day. It took Brett Lee to get redemption for his attempt at Edgbaston and this time with Glenn McGrath at the other end, he managed to help the visitors secure a thrilling draw. Read: Ashes 2005: Ricky Ponting’s 156 helps Australia secure a nail-biting draw
It was a brilliant century from him trying to shield his team with a timely captain’s knock. He pulled, drove well and took the attack to the English bowlers. He first added 81 runs with Michael Clarke for the sixth wicket before Clarke was dismissed, Jason Gillespie was promoted up the order since he could block well but he did not last long. Ponting though got support from Shane Warne and they added 76 runs together before Warne was dismissed by Andrew Flintoff. Ponting got to his 23rd Test ton but was soon dismissed for a score of 156 when he gloved one off Steve Harminson to Geriant Jones. Read: Ricky Ponting backs Michael Clarke’s decision to retire after Ashes 2015
Ponting confesses that he felt he had lost the game for Australia since when he got out there were still four overs to go with Lee and McGrath batting together. The pair though kept the English attack at bay and secured a hard earned draw for Australia. England though went onto win the Ashes 2005. It is for the highs and evenly contested high intensity that the Ashes 2005 is considered to be one of the best Ashes series. Ponting concludes by saying that it was one of his best knocks and a ton he was most proud of in his Test career.
